“Salads are the meal of choice when our Texas temperatures hover in the 90s. In Strawberry Chicken Salad, I use locally grown strawberries, fresh greens and chicken strips,” says Lorna Dressler of Universal City, Texas. “It makes a light and colorful lunch on a hot summer day.”

"I came up with my hearty main-course salad to take to picnics instead of lugging along a grill. Artichoke Steak Salad is perfect for potlucks, too," reveals Pat Briggs from Sarasota, Florida. “Feel free to substitute other meats for the steak, such as leftover roast beef, grilled pork or chicken.”

You’ll be sitting down to dinner in no time when you prepare this main-dish salad from Paula Marchesi of Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania. A convenient combination of frozen ravioli and pantry staples (including canned tomatoes, corn and olives), Spicy Ravioli Salad is dressed with easy taco sauce for tangy, fresh-tasting results.

“One of the first things I learned when I moved here from Oregon was to make light salads like Avocado Malibu Salad. They’re practical, easy and delicious,” writes Brenda Brinkley from Watsonville, California.

"Mom often made this hearty main-dish 10-Minute Taco Salad for my three brothers and me when we were growing up," recalls Cindy Stephan of Owosso, Michigan. "Now it’s one of my husband’s favorite meals—and one we frequently fix for weekend guests."